Dix announces $24-million plan to grow B.C. agriculture industry

Jonathan Fowlie, Vancouver Sun04.21.2013

British Columbia NDP Leader Adrian Dix tosses an apple in the air during a campaign stop at Sidhu Orchards in Lake Country, B.C., on Sunday April 21, 2013. British Columbians go to the polls for a provincial election May 14. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

British Columbia NDP Leader Adrian Dix carries a bag of apples as he walks back to the NDP bus after an election campaign stop at Sidhu Orchards in Lake Country, B.C., on Sunday April 21, 2013. British Columbians go to the polls for a provincial election May 14.Darryl Dyck
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

LAKE COUNTRY - New Democratic Party leader Adrian Dix rolled his campaign into the Okanagan Sunday to announce a suite of boutique policy changes aimed at helping the province's agricultural sector.

"I think it's fair to say that agriculture has not been top of mind for the government over the last number of years," said Dix, standing in a 12-acre orchard of Ambrosia apples in a riding held by Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick.

Dix said the promises - which would cost $24 million over three years - would include reviving the Buy BC program first introduced by the New Democrats in the 1990s, but cancelled by the BC Liberals in 2001. He said an NDP government would also implement a plan to increase the amount of locally-grown food served in the province's hospitals.

"We know, you know, that the time you need the best quality of food is when you're sick," Dix told a group of supporters, saying his government would mandate health authorities to increase the amount of local food in hospitals by five per cent.

Dix also said an NDP government would cut the cost of alcohol made by artisan B.C. distilleries.

He said an NDP government would significantly lower the mark-up applied to such products by the province's Liquor Distribution Branch, bringing it to 129 per cent from 170 per cent. The move — which would apply to about 100,000 of the 50 million bottles of spirits sold in B.C. each year — would bring the rate in line with that now charged on wine.

The new lower rate would apply to companies using 51 per cent or more of B.C. raw agriculture materials.

At the same stop, Dix also announced a program to help B.C. growers renew and replant their orchards to ensure they are growing the highest quality crop.

The move would extend a temporary program announced by the BC Liberal government in 2012, as well as adding other related supports.

Dix was expected on Sunday night to hold a rally in Vernon with five candidates from across the Okanagan, all of whom are running in ridings traditionally held by the BC Liberals.

"I've come here 30 times over the last couple of years as leader of the NDP," said Dix, explaining he hopes to make gains in the traditionally Liberal friendly Okanagan.

"I fully expect to win seats in the Okanagan, that's why I'm here (Sunday) on the first week of the campaign."

"It's good to get that direct support from the provincial government. It's been hard, the last couple of years here," he said.

Growers in Washington State enjoy government subsidies, the NDP said Sunday, adding those growers have flooded the B.C. marketplace with lower priced produce.

"It's overpowering us. It's hard to compete with them with prices dropping," said Sidhu.

"It's good to have a government that will help us in the future."

Jeet Dukhia, president of the BC Fruit Growers Association, said Sunday's announcements were a "very good start" but added he wanted to see more details.

"Our budget is the lowest in the country. We want to see that budget come up to national levels," said Dukhia.

Buy BC - a program to help market B.C. grown products — was first launched under the NDP in 1993 as a way of promoting B.C. agricultural products.

The BC Liberal government killed the program in 2001, almost immediately after taking office, citing a need to reduce spending.

Reached by phone while campaigning in his riding, Agriculture Minister Letnick said the BC Liberals significantly increased agriculture funding in its recent budget, adding measures such as $20 million in carbon tax relief for farmers and greenhouse growers, and an additional $4 million over three years for increased oversight of the Agricultural Land Reserve.

"This year's budget alone it's gone up by 20 per cent," he said. "I don't know of any other ministry that got a 20 per cent lift."

Letnick also said the BC Liberal government announced a $2 million buy local campaign in 2012, and that it has promised during this election to add another $2 million to the program.

"The advantage our program has over the Buy BC program is that our program is 50 cent taxpayer collars, matched by 50 cent industry dollars," said Letnick.

"Their program is just throwing more government money at an issue. There's quite a difference in philosophies."

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.